I have fond memories of visiting Tahoe in the late summer and fall months as a kid. The shifting season meant less crowds, crisp nights and memorable weekend getaways. In between picking up pinecones outside our cabin, we would attempt to feed chipmunks or dare head down to the lake for a chilly afternoon plunge. These were good times.
Thankfully, Tahoe hasn’t changed much over the years. It’s still the naturally breathtaking, family-friendly destination of year’s past. A few recent additions also make it a romantic getaway for Sierra-adjacent couples seeking nature and nurture.
The classic Northstar-at-Tahoe resort has something for everyone: great accommodations, every outdoor activity imaginable, dining and shopping, and most recently, the addition of a Ritz-Carlton perched mid-mountain on the property.
Recommended Resort: Northstar-at-Tahoe. Truly a year round destination, this popular resort on the northside of Tahoe in Truckee draws enthusiastic guests summer, winter and every month in-between.
Come ski-season, the 92 trails across 3,000 acres bustle with snow sporters enjoying alpine and Telemark skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. Summer’s no less exciting, with mountain biking, golfing, scenic lift rides for sightseeing and hiking, fly-fishing and more. Accommodations are wide and varied, from hotel rooms, condo and home rentals, to the Lodge-Hyatt Residence Clubs, to the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, the first five-star property in Tahoe.
Check in: 100 Northstar Dive in Truckee. 800-GO-NORTH, www.northstarattahoe.com
Check out: The Village at Northstar. Since the 2005-2006 season, this collection of boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and luxury condos has entertained guests no matter the season. Some highlights include Baxter’s Bistro and Lounge, The Chocolate Bar, 001 Oakley Concept Shop, Olivier Napa Valley and Bolam Gallery. There’s also a year round skating ring, and once the weather cools off, holiday festivals and fire pits perfect for roasting s’mores.
Don’t Miss: The Ritz-Carlton Highlands. Northern California’s premier mountain retreat, the recently opened property brings a new class of hospitality and amenities never before experienced in the region. Perched slope-side, the Ritz-Carlton offers 170-guest rooms, 23 Private Residences and 25 Club fractional units.
The Highland Spa, a 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, features a treatment list themed around the natural elements of wood and water. James Beard award-winning chef Traci Des Jardins presents delicious, seasonal California cuisine at her restaurant Manzanita.
World-class golf, skiing, biking, hiking and more await at Northstar, and the pristine Lake is only a short 15-mintue trip down the hill.
Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.
Photos courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Highlands & Northstar-at-Tahoe